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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-12-21, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017. PAGE 13. New ornaments every year for Ritsema-Teeninga tree A longstanding tradition Every year, Yolanda and Paul Ritsema-Teeninga carry on a tradition their parents started with them: giving a new Christmas ornament to son Landon and daughter Kenzie. This year will be no exception with the childred receiving a Nutcracker ornament and a ballet ornament, respectively. (Photo submitted) By Denny Scott The Citizen Christmas at the Ritsema- Teeninga home focuses on traditions passed down one family to the next as well as new family practices. Yolanda Ritsema-Teeninga, North Huron councillor for the Wingham Ward who works for Compuexcel, a consulting and training company based in Mississauga, and her husband Peter who is a welder for Maitland Welding and Machining, have brought some of the traditions they enjoyed as children into the lives of their eight-year-old son Landon and five-year-old daughter Kenzie. "I remember fairly clearly, when I was growing up on a 40 -acre farm near Teeswater, that my father, brother and I would walk to the back of the property and cut a Christmas tree every year, bring it back and decorate it," she said. "We would listen to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton and my mom would make us baked goods to snack on while we worked. "Every year we got a new ornament as well to put on the tree," she said. She said that, not living on a farm any longer, the tradition has changed a bit, but the heart of it remains the same. "We go out and get a tree and I do get my children a new ornament every year," she said. "I try and tailor it to whatever they are interested in that year." She said this year Landon has taken an interest in The Nutcracker and Kenzie is interested in ballet, so their ornaments reflect that. "I try to do some Christmas baking so we have snacks and we do a family afternoon of putting up the tree, decorating it and having some treats," she said. "It's very similar to what I did as a child and yes, we do still listen to Dolly and Kenny. She said that Peter's family practised some of the same activities, including the new Casey Boven and family Blyth 519-523-4757 ornament every year, which he is happy to carry forward. While those traditions have carried on, the Ritsema-Teeninga family is also forging ahead and creating its own practices and cherished memories. Yolanda said that Peter's family typically would get together and sing Dutch songs to celebrate Christmas, which they still do at extended family Christmases, but for Christmas Day, the celebration has become about immediate family. For example, when she was younger her family would open gifts to and from each other on Christmas Eve then attend a church service Christmas Day after opening gifts in their stockings and from Santa Claus. They would then spend time as a family. Her family, however, goes to church on Christmas Eve and sets aside Christmas Day until dinner for immediate family. "We wake up, I make brunch and we open our presents and celebrate Christmas together," she said. "We then go out to my parents' farm later on in the day." The family attends Maitland River Community Church and Peter is especially active within the church community, being in the church band. "He usually is involved in a musical celebration or drama production at the church around Christmas," Yolanda said. Christmas is also an educational opportunity for Peter and Yolanda's children, as she explains how one new tradition shows Landon and Kenzie the importance of remembering those less fortunate at the holidays. "Every year I take my children shopping for a gift they would enjoy to give to the Christmas bureau," she said. "I want to make sure they know the importance of giving and making Continued on page 15 yir HAIR SALON 4 I wish you all a happy holiday season. My sincere thanks for your goodwill and loyalty throughout the past year. I look forward to serving you in 2018. Gift Certificates Available Holly Dauphin 687 Elizabeth St., Brussels 519-887-8989 Best wishes for a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year to all who generously gave to the Wingham & District Hospital Foundation in 2017. • • • •'.. • .• 11110,4 • R "Thanks to you, friends, f_ amily•and our whole community :' will 'receive the. gift of health ,for years to come.' You've`niade a difference for your Hospital ThankiYou!' tt • 111 • filV,N, 44-11.• • • 4* . fi Holidays from your friends at the WDH dation: Ian Montgomery, Chairperson, George Miller, Russ Taylor, Gord Baxter, Lisa Hearn Wingham i lis nden, Andy McBride, Jenny Hogervorst, II im,k Hospital Foundatio • s Happy • Foun Peg Lockridge, and Nicole Jutzi. s • Wishing all our friends, customers and neighbours a very Merry Christmas and all the very best for the coming New Year. Thank you for your business this past year, we look forward to serving you in the future. 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